Almost everyone feels stress at some point in their lives. High amounts of stress can leave you feeling weak, depressed and angry--but it can also make you sick. According to the National Cancer Institute, psychological stress occurs when you face issues that you do not have the emotional resources to cope with. Stress can lower your immune system, reducing your body's ability to fight off infection. It is important to be aware of the hidden stressors that may await you at home in order to adequately prepare for them.
Finances
A 2009 survey by the American Psychological Association revealed that 71 percent of Americans feel stress about their finances, making money the number-one cause of stress in the nation. Although some money-related stressors may be present at work, it's when you arrive home that you feel the brunt of your financial situation. Stress about finances isn't restricted to worrying about whether you have enough money in the bank to pay your monthly bills. Concerns about paying for retirement, the state of your children's college funds or looming taxes can all contribute to financial stress at home.
Family Health Problems
Family health concerns cause stress for 47 percent of the population, reports the APA. If you suffer from poor health, you may feel the effects of your condition throughout the day. Should an immediate family member be the victim, however, you face the problem every time you come home. Family health problems can be particularly taxing if you are the full-time caregiver of a sick loved one. If a loved one has substance abuse problems or other habits that could adversely affect his health, the worry you may feel about these activities and their consequences can also elicit stress.
Relationships
The relationship you have with your family members can either alleviate or compound your stress level. In his book "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work," Dr. John Gottman explains that simple negative exchanges between you and your spouse, such as criticism or sarcasm, can significantly increase your stress level. Over time, these actions can damage your marriage--resulting in an even greater amount of stress. You may also encounter stress at home when managing a noncompliant teenager or children whose simple requests seem demanding after a difficult day on the job.
Traumatic Events
Stress at home can be triggered by traumatic events, such as a natural disaster, foreclosure or the death of a loved one. Although these events are isolated and not ongoing, they can still spawn negative feelings such as worry, anxiety, grief and anger, all of which contribute to greater stress levels. In addition, stressful events often impact the entire family, leaving everyone to sort out their emotions for themselves while also managing the emotions of other immediate family members. When attempting to work through stress caused by an isolated event, you should remember that it's normal to feel stress over difficult life-changing events and not consider your feelings or the feelings of your family abnormal. Talking to other family members or seeing a licensed therapist can also help you reduce the stress caused by traumatic incidents.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Psychological Stress and Cancer
- American Psychological Association: Stress in America Survey 2009
- The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work; John M. Gottman; 1999; Chapter 2 (The Second Sign)
- National Mental Health Information Center: Care Tips for Survivors of a Traumatic Event
